Every year from September 15 through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month invites people across the United States to recognize the history, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
And while you may see plenty of colorful celebrations, delicious food, music and festivals during the month, there is much more to the occasion than simply enjoying a plate of tacos or putting on salsa music.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn, listen, celebrate and support.
The national observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1988, Congress expanded it into a 31-day observance running from September 15 through October 15.
September 15 is significant because it marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16.
So, how can you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in a meaningful way?
Here are some ideas to get started.
1. Learn About Hispanic History
One of the simplest ways to celebrate is to learn something you didn't know before.
Explore the histories of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States and learn about the people, movements and experiences that helped shape American culture.
You could spend an evening reading about:
Hispanic immigration
Civil rights movements
Latino communities in the United States
Hispanic influence on American music
Latino contributions to science and technology
Hispanic artists and writers
The history of Spanish-speaking countries
Hispanic leaders and activists
The Library of Congress has extensive Hispanic and Latino collections and has introduced new resources for Hispanic Heritage Month in 2026, including research guides, cultural materials and programs.
You don't need to become a historian.
Start with one story.
2. Read a Book by a Hispanic or Latino Author
Books can be one of the best ways to experience a culture beyond the surface.
Choose a novel, memoir, poetry collection or nonfiction book by a Hispanic or Latino author.
You could explore writers from different backgrounds and countries rather than assuming that one person's experience represents an entire community.
Look for stories about:
Family
Immigration
Identity
Love
History
Race
Culture
Community
Belonging
The goal isn't simply to check a book off your list.
It's to encounter a perspective that may be different from your own.
3. Listen to Latin Music
Put together a playlist and explore the enormous variety of music that comes from Hispanic and Latino cultures.
And don't stop at one genre.
Explore:
Salsa
Merengue
Bachata
Reggaeton
Cumbia
Latin jazz
Mariachi
Flamenco
Bolero
Latin pop
Regional Mexican music
The Smithsonian's collections highlight the diverse history of Latin music and include resources exploring the people and cultural movements behind different musical traditions.
You might even discover your next favorite artist.
4. Learn a Few Spanish Phrases
You don't need to become fluent in Spanish to appreciate the language.
Try learning a few everyday expressions:
Hola — Hello
Buenos dÃas — Good morning
Gracias — Thank you
Por favor — Please
¿Cómo estás? — How are you?
Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you
Hasta luego — See you later
But remember that Hispanic and Latino communities are incredibly diverse, and Spanish isn't the only language spoken across these cultures.
Some people speak Portuguese, Indigenous languages, English or combinations of several languages.
The point is to approach language with curiosity rather than treating Spanish as synonymous with every Hispanic culture.
5. Cook a Traditional Dish
Food is one of the most joyful ways to explore culture.
Choose a dish you've never tried before and learn where it comes from.
Depending on the country or region, you might explore:
Mexican mole
Cuban ropa vieja
Puerto Rican mofongo
Colombian arepas
Venezuelan arepas
Peruvian ceviche
Argentine empanadas
Dominican mangú
Salvadoran pupusas
Spanish paella
And here's the important part: don't call everything "Mexican food."
Hispanic cuisine varies enormously from country to country and even from region to region.
Research the history behind the dish you're preparing. Understanding where a recipe comes from makes the meal much more meaningful.
6. Support Hispanic-Owned Businesses
Celebrating culture can also mean putting your money where your appreciation is.
Look for Hispanic-owned:
Restaurants
Cafés
Clothing brands
Beauty businesses
Bookstores
Artists
Jewelry designers
Food brands
Creative studios
Local businesses
Instead of simply buying something because it's marketed as "Hispanic-inspired," seek out businesses actually owned and operated by people from the communities you're celebrating.
And if you love what you buy, leave a thoughtful review or recommend the business to someone else.
Support doesn't have to end when the month does.
7. Explore Hispanic Art
Art can reveal history, identity and cultural expression in ways that words sometimes can't.
Spend some time exploring Hispanic and Latino artists.
Look at:
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Murals
Textiles
Ceramics
Digital art
Street art
Folk art
The Smithsonian's Hispanic Heritage Month resources include virtual exhibitions and collections featuring Latino artists and cultural traditions.
If there's a Hispanic or Latino artist in your community, consider visiting their exhibition or following their work online.
8. Watch Films by Hispanic and Latino Filmmakers
Make your next movie night a cultural exploration.
Choose films created by Hispanic or Latino directors, writers and actors.
You could explore movies from different countries rather than focusing exclusively on Hollywood productions.
Try alternating between:
A documentary
A classic film
A contemporary drama
A comedy
A coming-of-age story
A film from a Spanish-speaking country
Afterward, talk about what you watched.
What did the film teach you?
What cultural details did you notice?
What perspectives were unfamiliar?
That conversation can be just as valuable as the movie itself.
9. Visit a Museum or Cultural Exhibition
If you live somewhere with a museum, gallery or cultural center featuring Hispanic or Latino history, make a visit.
The Smithsonian is offering Hispanic Heritage Month resources, exhibitions, podcasts and programming throughout the observance.
The Library of Congress is also hosting programming and making Hispanic cultural collections available to the public in 2026.
Can't visit in person?
Look for virtual exhibitions instead.
You can explore an entire collection from your couch.
10. Attend a Hispanic Heritage Month Event
Check what's happening in your city.
Depending on where you live, events might include:
Concerts
Dance performances
Food festivals
Film screenings
Art exhibitions
Author talks
Museum programs
Educational workshops
Community celebrations
For example, cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian regularly organize events and resources throughout the month.
When attending an event, remember that not every celebration is designed primarily for outsiders.
Be respectful.
Listen.
Participate when invited.
And avoid treating cultural traditions as costumes or props.
11. Learn About Hispanic Women Who Changed History
Hispanic Heritage Month is also a great opportunity to learn about women whose contributions may not have received the attention they deserve.
Explore women in:
Science
Politics
Literature
Medicine
Sports
Art
Education
Business
Activism
The Smithsonian specifically highlights Latina women and their contributions across American culture and different fields of knowledge.
Choose one person and learn her story.
Then share it with someone else.
12. Discover Hispanic and Latino Athletes
Sports have played a significant role in Hispanic and Latino communities.
Explore the careers and stories of athletes in:
Baseball
Soccer
Boxing
Basketball
Tennis
Track and field
Golf
And don't focus only on famous names.
Look into athletes whose stories demonstrate how sport intersects with immigration, identity, family and community.
The Smithsonian, for example, highlights Latino contributions to baseball and sports through its collections.
13. Learn the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino
This is a great month to become more thoughtful about the terminology you use.
The terms Hispanic and Latino are not interchangeable in every context.
"Hispanic" generally relates to people or cultures connected to Spanish-speaking countries, while "Latino" generally refers to people with origins in Latin America.
There are also people who identify with one term, both, neither or another identity altogether.
And remember: Hispanic and Latino communities aren't monolithic.
There are differences in nationality, race, ethnicity, language, traditions and personal identity.
When talking about someone's identity, it's always better to respect the terminology they use for themselves.
14. Dance
If you really want to get involved, take a dance class.
Try:
Salsa
Bachata
Merengue
Tango
Flamenco
You don't need to be good.
In fact, you're probably going to look slightly ridiculous at first.
That's okay.
You're there to learn.
Dance can be an especially fun way to connect with music, movement and cultural traditions.
15. Make a Hispanic Heritage Playlist
Create a playlist that lasts throughout the month.
Instead of throwing together whatever Latin songs you already know, make it an opportunity to explore.
Choose artists from different countries and genres.
You could create sections such as:
Classic sounds
Salsa night
Latin pop
Regional Mexican
Caribbean rhythms
Modern Latin artists
Songs to dance to
Then share the playlist with friends.
16. Explore Hispanic Fashion and Design
Fashion is another way to appreciate cultural creativity.
Explore traditional textiles, embroidery, jewelry, clothing and contemporary designers.
But there's an important distinction between appreciation and appropriation.
Learn the history and significance of designs before treating them as simple aesthetic trends.
And whenever possible, support the artists, designers and communities who create the work.
17. Have a Cultural Dinner Night
Invite friends over and turn dinner into an experience.
Choose one country or region and build your evening around it.
For example:
Mexico: tacos, aguas frescas and mariachi
Peru: ceviche, causa and Peruvian music
Colombia: arepas, empanadas and cumbia
Puerto Rico: mofongo and salsa
Spain: paella, tapas and flamenco
Give everyone one small research assignment.
Someone learns about the food.
Someone researches the music.
Someone learns about the history.
Someone introduces an important cultural figure.
Suddenly dinner becomes a conversation.
18. Follow Hispanic Creators
Social media can be a wonderful way to discover voices you might not encounter otherwise.
Follow Hispanic and Latino:
Writers
Chefs
Artists
Musicians
Entrepreneurs
Historians
Educators
Designers
Journalists
Creators
But don't turn people into "educational content machines."
Follow them because you genuinely enjoy their work.
Engage with their content.
Buy their books.
Attend their events.
Share their work.
And continue following them after October 15.
19. Teach Children About Hispanic Heritage
If you're celebrating with children, keep the experience engaging.
Read children's books by Hispanic and Latino authors.
Cook a traditional dish together.
Listen to music.
Learn about an influential Hispanic figure.
Make art inspired by a particular tradition.
Create a simple map and explore different Spanish-speaking countries.
The goal isn't to give children a one-month crash course in an enormous and diverse collection of cultures.
It's to help them understand that history and culture are made up of real people and stories.
20. Don't Stop on October 15
This may be the most important idea of all.
Hispanic Heritage Month lasts 31 days, but Hispanic and Latino history doesn't.
The Smithsonian, Library of Congress and National Archives maintain resources that can be explored beyond the official observance.
So if you discover a new author, keep reading.
If you find a restaurant you love, go back.
If you discover an artist, follow their work.
If you learn a new piece of history, keep learning.
Celebration becomes much more meaningful when curiosity continues after the calendar moves on.
How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Respectfully
A good celebration starts with respect.
Do your research
Learn about the specific country, community or tradition you're exploring.
Avoid stereotypes
Hispanic and Latino cultures aren't defined by sombreros, tacos, salsa and bright colors.
Those things may be part of particular cultures, but they don't represent everyone.
Don't treat culture like a costume
Traditional clothing and cultural symbols can have deep meaning. They shouldn't simply become party props.
Support authentic creators
Buy from Hispanic and Latino artists, authors, restaurants, designers and businesses.
Listen more than you assume
There is no single Hispanic or Latino experience.
Be curious about individual stories.
A Simple 7-Day Hispanic Heritage Challenge
Want to celebrate but don't know where to start?
Try this:
Day 1: Learn the history of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Day 2: Read an article or book by a Hispanic or Latino author.
Day 3: Listen to music from a country you've never explored.
Day 4: Cook a traditional dish.
Day 5: Watch a film by a Hispanic or Latino filmmaker.
Day 6: Support a Hispanic-owned business.
Day 7: Learn about an influential Hispanic or Latino figure.
And if you enjoy it, keep going for the entire month.
FAQ
When is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 through October 15 in the United States.
Why does Hispanic Heritage Month start on September 15?
September 15 marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16.
When did Hispanic Heritage Month begin?
The observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. Congress expanded it to a month-long observance in 1988.
What is the best way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
There is no single best way. Learning history, supporting Hispanic-owned businesses, reading authors from Hispanic and Latino communities, exploring music and art, attending cultural events and listening to people's stories are all meaningful ways to participate.
Can anyone celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Yes. The month is an opportunity for everyone to learn about and recognize Hispanic and Latino history, culture and contributions. The most important thing is to approach celebrations with curiosity and respect.
Is Hispanic Heritage Month the same as Latino Heritage Month?
The official U.S. federal observance is called National Hispanic Heritage Month, although individuals and organizations may use terms such as Latino Heritage Month or Latinx Heritage Month depending on their preferences and audience.
The Pyteline Take
A culture is much bigger than its food.
It's the stories grandparents pass down. The music people grow up with. The languages spoken at home. The artists who challenge the world to see things differently. The recipes that survive generations. The communities that build new lives while carrying pieces of where they came from.
That's what makes Hispanic Heritage Month worth celebrating.
So this year, don't just order the tacos and call it a day.
Read something. Listen to something. Learn someone's story. Try something new. Support a small business. Dance badly. Ask questions. Stay curious.
And when October 15 arrives, don't put everything you've learned back on the shelf until next September.
Culture is worth celebrating all year long.
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